Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Wednesday, Mayor Toby Barker was joined by local event directors and representatives from businesses and organizations to declare October as the “Greatest Month to be a Hattiesburger.” 

This quick and fun ceremony took place at City Hall and included remarks from Barker – along with a highlight of several events taking place in October. From live music events and themed weeks to staple Halloween events, there is something for everyone. 

“This October marks a joyful return of the 31 days that comprise the absolute greatest month to be a Hattiesburger,” said Barker. “So many put great effort into fun and meaningful programming during this month. This year – as we continue to make progress in pushing against the pandemic, moving the needle on vaccination numbers and getting back to some sense of normalcy – Hattiesburg and its many event directors have worked tirelessly to bring back an October that resembles those of the past.”

Barker mentioned that many of the events have worked deliberately to put safeguards and precautions in place regarding COVID-19 and that residents and visitors alike should feel safe in returning to these events.

“As we celebrate all that is great about Hattiesburg in October – we encourage you to do what is best for you and your family. Wear a mask when necessary, continue to distance socially if in a large crowd and finally – trust your doc… and get your shot.”

During the press conference, Barker also mentioned that the City would launch a month-long scavenger hunt to celebrate #OctoberinHBURG — beginning October 1.

Residents are encouraged to attend as many events as possible throughout the month, tagging photos on social media with #OctoberInHBURG and marking through a downloadable scavenger hunt list (accessible on hattiesburgms.com and social media). Residents can turn it in at the end of the month to cityofhattiesburg@gmail.com to qualify for a random drawing of HBURG-themed prizes. 

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VIDEO

PHOTOS

#OCTOBERINHBURG DOWNLOADABLE SCAVENGER HUNT 

OCTOBER EVENTS

MONTH-LONG

• Hattiesburg Arts Council Brown Bag Concerts – Every Thursday in October at City Hall Fountain, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Farmer’s Market – Every Thursday, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
• Live at Five – Every Friday in October at Town Square Park, 5 p.m.
• Festival SouthMusical Saturdays in the Parks, 10 a.m.
  • October 2 – Mobile Street Festival Stage
  • October 9 – Oseola McCarty Park (500 West Street)
  • October 16 – Vernon Dahmer Park (1000 Country Club Road)
  • October 23 – NBA Park (Edwards Street, between Collins Street and Evans Drive)
  • October 30 – Dewitt Sullivan Park (Old Aiport Road near Earl Travillion School)

MULTIPLE DAYS

• Hattiesburg Restaurant Week, Saturday, October 2-  Saturday, October 9
• Pine Belt Pride – Monday, October 4 – Sunday, October 10
• Southern Miss Homecoming – Monday, October 4 – Saturday, October 9
• Make a Difference Week – Monday, October 18 – Saturday, October 23
• Zoo Boo at Hattiesburg Zoo – Friday, October 22 – Friday, October 29
• The Paper Warehouse Haunted Attraction, Hattiesburg Community Arts Center and HCLO – Friday, October 22 – Sunday, October 24 | tickets
• Spooky Hollow: Highway to Halloween at Lake Thoreau Environmental Center, Friday, October 22 – Monday, October 25
• Hattiesburlesque – Thursday, October 28 – Saturday, October 30 | tickets 

SINGLE EVENTS

October 1

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month Proclamation + Announcement at HPD (10 a.m.)
• First Friday Fish Fry at VFW Post 3036 (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Sacred Heart Home Football Game – Homecoming (7 p.m.)

October 2

• Remember My Name 5K Walk (8 a.m. – Noon)
• 16th Annual Mobile Street Festival (8 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.)
• First Saturday Downtown, HHDA (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.)
• Pilates in the Park with 525 at Town Square Park (9 a.m.)
• Oktoberfest at The Porter (9 a.m. – 11 p.m.)
• The Lucky Rabbit (10 a.m.)
• Great Duck Hunt at the Pocket Museum (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
• Blooms Company Outdoor Market and Warehouse Sale (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• Art Market + Plant Swap at Hattiesburg Community Arts Center (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
• Milo’s Belated Birthday Party at the Saenger (11:30 a.m.)
• Magen Pierce Gallery Presentation at Oddfellows (11:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
• Food Truck Festival + Taste of 59 South at Fairley’s Wings (Noon – 6 p.m.)
• Beer Release + Games at SoPro (Noon – 10 p.m.)
• Pop-Up Dance Lessons at Hattiesburg Ballroom + Beyond (6 p.m.)
• Sloth-a-Thon at Hattiesburg Zoo, 6 p.m.

October 5

• Night Out Against Crime Neighborhood Parties (5 p.m. – 7 p.m.)

October 7

• HPSD Foundation Hall of Fame, Class of 2021 presented virtually at hpsdfoundation.org (7 p.m.)
• DuBard School Speakeasy at Brass Hat (5 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
• William Carey Theatre’s “September 11 – A Remembrance”, Joe + Virginia Tatum Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

October 8

• Friday Night at Spirit Park at Southern Miss (5:30 p.m.)
• The Allman Bets Band at the Saenger (6:30 p.m.)
• William Carey Theatre’s “September 11 – A Remembrance”, Joe + Virginia Tatum Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

October 9

• USM Homecoming Parade (1 p.m.)
• USM Homecoming Eagle Walk (4 p.m.)
• USM Homecoming Game against UTEP (6 p.m.)
• William Carey Theatre’s “September 11 – A Remembrance”, Joe + Virginia Tatum Theatre (7:30 p.m.)

October 10

• William Carey Theatre’s “September 11 – A Remembrance”, Joe + Virginia Tatum Theatre (2 p.m.)
• Historic Hattiesburg Neighborhood Association Fall Picnic, Walthall Park (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

October 11

• Pink Monday at Town Square Park (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
• October 12
• University Forum: William Sturkey at Bennett Auditorium, Southern Miss (6:30 p.m.)

October 14

• Hattiesburg Historical Society Open House – 50th Anniversary at Hattiesburg Cultural Center (4 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
• Run for Your Life, Almost 4K at Murky Waters BBQ (5 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
• Festival South presents the British Invasion at the Saenger Theater (7:30 p.m.)

October 15

• Hocus Pocus Screening at Saenger Theater (6 p.m.)
• PCS Home Football Game (7 p.m.)

October 16

• AARP Community Challenge Work Day at Duncan Lake (9 a.m. – Noon)
• Hattiesbark Pet Parade + Block Pawty, The Saenger (Noon – 4 p.m.)
• Southern Miss v. UAB, The Rock (2:30 p.m.)

October 18

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Candle Vigil (6:30 p.m.)

October 21

• Drive-Thru Senior Health Fair at Tatum Park (9 a.m.)
• The Largest Pumpkin Carving in the Gulf South at Keg and Barrel (5:30 p.m.)

October 22

• Trunk or Treat at Hattiesburg Family Y (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
• Sacred Heart Home Football Game (7 p.m.)
• PCS Home Football Game (7 p.m.)

October 23

• Fall Festival and Art Market at Hattiesburg Community Arts Center (Noon – 5 p.m.)
• Dearly Departed Walking Tours at Oaklawn Cemetery (30 min shows beginning at 6 p.m.) | tickets
• 2nd Annual Wesley Open at Shadow Ridge Golf Course (7 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Blue Oyster Cult at Saenger Theater (7 p.m.)

October 28

• Avenues Halloween Parade (5:30 p.m.)
• Hattiesburlesque at The Thirsty Hippo (8 p.m.) | tickets

October 29

• Dark Carnival Halloween Party at Southern Prohibition (5 p.m. until closing)
• Hattiesburg Youth Soccer League – Trunk or Treat at Tatum Park (6 p.m.)
• Trunk or Treat at Sacred Heart Elementary Parking Lot (6 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
• Hattiesburg High School Home Football Game (7 p.m.)
• Hattiesburlesque at The Thirsty Hippo (8 p.m.) | tickets (SOLD OUT)

October 30

• Schitt’s Creek Set (Last Chance) at The Lucky Rabbit (9 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Halloween in Hattiesburg | Trick-or-Treating Hours (4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.)
• Halloween House Party at The Porter (7 p.m. – until closing)
• Halloween Party at Fairley’s Wings (7 p.m. – until closing) 
• Hattiesburlesque at The Thirsty Hippo (8 p.m.) | tickets (SOLD OUT)
• Dead Authors Eve at The Author Shoppe (8 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
• Halloween Costume Party, at Colludium

October 31

• Schitt’s Creek Set (Last Chance) at The Lucky Rabbit (11 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
• Silent Movie by USM School of Music at Marsh Auditorium (2 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Fifth Annual Barktoberfest at Southern Pines Animal Shelter (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.)